A Transit Schengen Visa is a type of permit designed for individuals who require entry into the Schengen territory solely for the purpose of changing their mode of transportation.

There are two categories of Transit Schengen Visas:

Airport Transit Schengen Visa

This visa is intended for travellers who need to transit through a Schengen airport without actually entering the Schengen Area. It allows them to wait in the international transit area of the airport before continuing their journey to a non-Schengen destination.

Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers

This visa is specifically for seafarers who work on ships and need to transit through a Schengen port in order to join or disembark from their vessel.

Both types of Transit Schengen Visas are essential for travellers who need to pass through the Schengen Area briefly without any intention of staying or conducting other activities within the territory.

Schengen Airport Transit Visa

An Airport Transit Schengen Visa is a travel permit specifically designed for travellers who need to change flights at a Schengen airport. It allows them to stop and wait in the international transit area of a Schengen airport before continuing their journey to their final destination outside the Schengen Area.

It's important to note that this visa does not grant the holder permission to leave the international transit area of the airport, even if there is an overnight layover. If you need to leave the airport for any reason or have multiple transits within the Schengen Area, you will need to apply for a regular Schengen Visa (Type C) instead.

This distinction is essential because flights between two or more Schengen countries are considered "domestic" flights, even if they are used for transit purposes. Therefore, a standard Schengen Visa is required if you need to travel between airports within the same Schengen country or if you plan to explore the country during your layover.

 Airport Schengen Visa Vs Transit Schengen Visa

The Airport Transit Visa and Transit Visa are both types of visas that allow travellers to transit through Schengen countries, but they have different purposes and restrictions.

The Airport Transit Visa is specifically for travellers who need to change flights at a Schengen airport. It grants them permission to stay in the international transit area of the airport without entering the Schengen Country Area. This visa is suitable for layovers or connecting flights where the traveller remains within the airport.

On the other hand, the Transit Visa allows its holder to transit through more than one Schengen country by car, coach, or plane on the way to a non-Schengen country. This visa is intended for travellers who need to cross multiple Schengen countries during their journey but do not intend to stay or enter the Schengen Area for more than five days. It allows them to travel through the Schengen countries on their way to a destination outside the Schengen Area.

In summary, the Airport Transit Visa is for travellers changing flights within a Schengen airport, while the Transit Visa is for travellers transiting through multiple Schengen countries on their way to a non-Schengen destination. Both visas have specific limitations and should be chosen based on the traveller's specific transit needs.

Is an Airport Schengen Transit Visa necessary?

You will need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa if you are a national of one of the following countries and passing through the international transit area of any Schengen country airport:

- Afghanistan

- Bangladesh

- The Democratic Republic of the Congo

- Eritrea

- Ethiopia

- Ghana

- Iran

- Iraq

- Nigeria

- Pakistan

- Somalia

- Sri Lanka

Additionally, some Schengen states have added extra countries to the list, and if you are a national of any of the following countries, you will also need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa when transiting through the airports of these specific countries:

Austria: Syria

Belgium: Dominican Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen*, Palestinians

Czech Republic: Algeria, Armenia, Chad, Cuba, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, Palestinians

Denmark: Syria

France: Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Palestinians

Germany: India, Jordan

Greece: Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Syria

Italy: Senegal, Syria

Netherlands: Cuba, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen

Norway: Turkey, Syria

Poland: Armenia, Cuba

Portugal: Guinea, Senegal

Spain: Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Togo, Yemen, Palestinians

Switzerland: Cuba, Syria, Turkey

People who don't need the Air Transit Schengen Visa

Exemptions from the Airport Transit Schengen Visa requirement include the following:

• Holders of diplomatic passports.
• Family members of citizens from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
• Holders of a valid visa issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan, or the United States.
• Holders of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, the Principality of Andorra, Canada, Japan, Republic of San Marino, or the United States.
• Flight crew members who are nationals of contracting parties to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Application requirements for Air Transit Schengen Visa

To apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, you will need the following documents:

• Visa application form: Complete and sign the regular short-stay visa application form.
• Two recent photos: Provide two passport-sized photos taken within the last three months, meeting Schengen visa photo requirements.
• Valid passport: Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for the visa sticker, is no older than ten years, and has sufficient validity.
• Documents related to the onward journey: Present a return flight ticket reservation indicating your travel to a third country and, if required, a valid visa issued by your destination country.
• Travel insurance policy: Obtain travel insurance covering medical emergencies with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Proof of paid visa fee: Pay the visa fee, which is the same as a short-stay visa fee.

Transit Schengen Visa for people travelling by sea

A Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers is a visa issued to seamen allowing them to disembark at a Schengen seaport. It permits them to temporarily leave their vessel and stay in the Schengen seaport until they can arrange their onward travel to a non-Schengen country.

Is a Transit Schengen Visa recommended?

If you are a national of a third country to which the visa requirement applies and you plan to perform any of the following activities, you will need a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers:

• Join a vessel that is currently in a Schengen port.
• Transfer from one vessel to another vessel that is in a Schengen port.
• Disembark from the vessel due to reasons such as the end of the contract, illness, repatriation, urgent family matters, or vacation, among others.

Requirements needed for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers

When applying for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Visa application form: Complete and sign the visa application form.

• Two recent passport-size photos: Provide two recent passport-sized photos that meet the criteria for Schengen visa application photos.

• Valid passport: Submit your valid passport, issued within the last ten years, and with a validity of at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen territory.

• Copies of passport data pages: Include photocopies of the data pages of your passport.

• Original and photocopy of Seaman's book: Provide the original and a photocopy of your Seaman's book.

• Letter from the inviting Shipping Company: Obtain a letter from the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country where you will disembark.

• Travel medical insurance: Obtain travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen countries with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for all health emergencies, including repatriation in case of death.

• Flight reservation (if applicable): If you have a flight reservation for your travel, include a copy.

• Employment contract: Submit a contract with the navigation company/ship as proof of your employment and intention to board the ship.

• Proof of paid visa fee: Provide evidence of payment for the visa fee.

Steps for Transit Schengen Visa Application

To apply for a Transit Schengen visa, follow these steps in the given order:

• Check visa requirements: First, verify if you are required to hold a Transit Schengen visa based on your nationality and travel plans.

• Complete the application form: Fill out the Transit Schengen visa application form accurately and ensure all information is up-to-date.

• Gather required documents: Collect all the necessary documents for the visa application as listed and explained in the previous sections of this article.

• Schedule an appointment: Make an appointment at the appropriate embassy or consulate to submit your visa application and supporting documents.

• Attend the appointment: On the scheduled date, attend your appointment to submit the required documents and provide any additional information as requested.

• Pay the visa fee: Pay the applicable visa fee for the Transit Schengen visa. The standard fee is €60, but it's essential to verify the specific fee amount, as some categories may be exempt or qualify for a reduced fee.

By following these steps and providing all the required documents, you can apply for a Transit Schengen visa and transit through the Schengen territory with ease.

Submission of the Transit Schengen Visa 

To submit your Transit Schengen Visa application, you must approach the appropriate visa authority that represents the country where the airport or seaport is located, where you will be changing your flight or vessel. 

The representative visa authority can be:

• The embassy of the country where the airport/seaport is situated.
• The consulate of the country where the airport/seaport is located.
• A visa centre operated by a third party to which the country has delegated visa submission.
• The embassy or consulate of another country that the country has designated for visa submission.

To ensure you choose the correct embassy or consulate to submit your EU visa application, you can refer to the article "How to Choose the Right Embassy or Consulate to Submit the EU Visa Application" for additional guidance and information.

Application time for the Transit Schengen Visa

To ensure a smooth process, it is advised to apply for your Transit Schengen Visa at least 15 days before your intended travel to the Schengen Zone. However, you cannot submit your application more than three months in advance of your planned departure date. Applying as early as possible within this timeframe is recommended to allow for sufficient processing time.

Time taken to acquire the Transit Schengen Visa

Typically, you can expect to receive a response on your Transit Schengen Visa application within approximately two weeks. However, in certain exceptional or unforeseen circumstances, the processing period may extend to 30 or 60 calendar days. To avoid any potential delays, it is advisable to submit your application well in advance, although you cannot apply more than three months before your intended travel date.

Transit Schengen Visa Validation

The validity of an Airport Transit Schengen visa is limited to 24 hours, allowing the holder to stay exclusively in the international transit area of a Schengen airport. If there is a need to leave this area or extend the stay beyond one day, an application for a regular Schengen visa must be pursued.

Conversely, a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers grants its holder the permission to remain in the Schengen territory for a maximum of five days before departing the Schengen area.